Spool or bobbin for supporting yarn, thread, cord, or the like



1945' ,H. L AMRHEIN ETAL Q 2,381,870 I SPOOL OR BOBBIN FOR SUPPORTINGYARNS, THREADS, CORDS, OR THE LIKE 1 Filed June 22, 1944 ziuwuwlfiaj MEek Patented Aug. 14, 1945 SPOOL on BOBBIN FOR. SUPPORTING YARN, THREAD,com), on THE LIKE HaraldL. Amrhein and Henry J. Feeley, Woonsocket,R.I., assignors to American Paper Tube Company, Woonsocket, R. I., a

Rhode Island corporation of Application June 22, 1944, Serial No.541,509

6 Claims.

1 This application is a continuation-impart of United Statesapplication, Serial No. 500,224, for

improvements in textilebobbins and methods forproducing same, filedAugust 27, 1943.

The present invention relates to improvements in spools or bobbins forsupporting yarn, thread,

axially-extendingbarrels with heads or flanges at their opposite ends.While as herein shown the spool is provided with heads or flanges ofsubstantial diameter, it is to be understood that such parts of theassembly may take other forms,

for examplayarious shapes as usually employed cord or'the like. for useintex'tile machines and to a method of producing the same. One objectofthe invention is to provide a lightweightspool or similar yarn-supportof simple construction having smooth exterior surfaces,

not subject to splitting, splintering, cracking or becoming dented orroughened and more durable inus'e'th'an wooden or other spoolspreviously used for like purposes.

' Another object is to provide a spool or bobbin of the typeindicatedcomprising a tubular paper I or fiber barrel with moldedplastic heads or 'pletely surrounded by the-plastic material of theheads or flanges.

Another object is to provide a spool or bobbin of the type indicated inwhich theheads or-flanges are rigidly secured to the ends .of the barrelto preventthemv from turning thereon or becoming displacedlongitudinally thereof.

7 .Another object is'to provide a method of molding the plastic heads orflanges on the ends of the 'barrel of the spool or bobbin to secure arigid permanent joinder. therewith.

for different types of cop-tubes, bobbins and the like used in textileapparatus. I

Referring tothe present drawing, Fig. 1 illustrates a spoolsuch as usedfor containing tirecord during the winding of the material thereonFurther objects of the invention areset forth one end of the spool; and

Fig. 3 is a similar plan view of the'head at the opposite endof thespool. The: present invention relates generally to spools, bobbins andthe like comprising tubular latter are prepared in the and delivering ittherefrom in various processes in the manufacture or use of thematerial. The spool or bobbin. may comprise a tubular barrel 2 ofrelatively extended length with disk-like flanges at its opposite ends.The barrel 2 of. the spool is preferably constructed of fiber or layersof paper cemented together in superimposed relationship with the headsor flanges of plastic material molded around the terminal portions ofthe barrel. As herein shown, one of 'the plastic heads may consist in arelatively thin disk i having a rounded peripheral rim and an integralbushing or thimble5 molded within the cylindrical wall of the tube 2.The opposite head or flange 8 may be in the form of a disk of somewhatthicker cross-section terminating in a cylindrical periphery and havingan integral bushing or thimble 9 molded within the interior of thebarrel 2. The outer end of the flange 8 may be provided with adiametrical slot or recess M for receiving a key or spline projectingfrom the spindle or shaft on which the tube is mounted to connect thespool for rotation therewith. In order to permanently secure theopposite plastic heads to the ends of the tubular barrel 2, the terminalportions of the manner as next explained. v I i Each end of the tubularbarrel 2 is scored or indented to form an annular groove H) which may beof arcuate shape in cross-section or of other contour. Outwardly beyondthe groove II! at each end of the barrel 2 its terminal portion isexpanded slightly as shown at i I to provide a sharpedged fin projectingradially beyond the periphery of the barrel. The opposite ends of thebarrel 2 are preferably'further provided with shallow* cuts or notchesI2, usually four in number spaced forming both heads may comprisecomplemen- A tary parts having cavities in their walls shaped to enclosethe barrel 2 of the spool and to conform to the contour of the heads tobe produced. With a spool of the type shown in the present drawing, acylindrical spindle may be used .as an insert. in the mold extending.axially through its cavity and of a diameter corresponding to that ofthe bores to be formed in the bushings or thimbles 5 and 9 at its ends.Relatively thin plugs or washers 15 may be inserted within the ends ofthe tubular barrel 2 at points adapted to confine the flow of theplastic material constituting the bushings 5 and 9 whereof to form thelatter with flat ends. If preferred, relatively short spindles 01' coresmay be provided projecting into the ends of the cavity of the mold toform the bores in the bushings 5 and .9 without requiring a spindle orinsert extending throughout the whole length of the molds.

With the tubular barrel 2 held in the cavity of the mold and properlylo-cated longitudinally thereof the plastic material may be injectedinto the mold at opposite points and caused to flow into the cavitiesthereof to shape the end heads in accordance with anyparticular contourdesired. The molding process is practiced by closing the parts of themoldtogether in the usuai manner and forcing the plastic material intoits cavities by the use of rams or pistons as usually provided withmolds of this type. The plastic material may be either in fluid orpowdered form and under the action of heat andpressure it will beplasticized and forced into the cavities in the mold while being causedto flow around the end of the tubular barrel 2' to cernpletely fill thegrooves H) and enter the interior of the barrel surrounding the cores ormandrels' projecting axially thereof. The expanded terminal portions ofthe tube will thus be embedded in and completely enclosed by the plasticmaterial. The: plastic material will also flow into" the notches I 2:at. each end of the: barrel 2-, thus, when cured, serving to key or lookthe heads from turning thereon. lit. will be noted by reference to thedrawing that the plastic material completely surrounds the terminalportions of the tubular barrel 2,. both as regards its outer and innerperiphery and the raw edges of the paper or fibrous material thereof. Inway a secure and substantially permanent bond is made: between the headsand the barrel of the spool, the heads being prevented from turning onthe barrel .by the plastic material engaging in the notches L2: and alsofrom becoming distplaced axially there-oi due to the: binding: oi theplastic material in the grooves l0 and across the edges of the terminalportions or the barrel- The plastic heads at opposite ends of thetubular barrel 2 completely surround the terminal portions oi the barrelto form a bond therewith while at the same time providing bushingswithin its interior formed with axially alinedv bores. for supportingthe spool on a. shaft or spindle. When cured, the plastic material is ofdense structure, but nevertheless somewhat re silient so that if thespool is subjected to rough handling, dropped on a cement floor orbrought into. contact with adjacent objects it will resist, severeimpact without splitting, chipping, splintering, or denting as is thecase with spools having wooden heads or flanges. Furthermore, allexterior portions of the improved spool; present:

a smooth surface for the yarn, thread, cord or other textile materialwound thereon to insure against abrading' or catching the strand orstrands when they are unwound therefrom. The bores in the bushings 5 and9 at the ends of the spool provide smooth bearings for mounting thespool on a shaft or spindle and as a most important feature, these boresare disposed exactly concentric with the exterior of the tubular barreland heads of the spool so that it will not run out when rotated with oron the spindle oi the machine with which it is used.

It will be observed from the foregoing specificati orr that the presentinvention provides an improved method of producing spools or bobbins ofimproved construction, relatively light in weight, economical tomanufacture and possessing. maximum. resistance to splitting, chipping,denting. o1" marring whereof to insure greater durability thereof underhard use. The heads at the ends of the barrel being constructed ofthermosetting plastic or other vulcanizable material molded directly onand firmly bonded to the fibrous material of the barrel provide anextremely strong and permanent structure, proof against injury undercontinuous use.

By molding the plastic material directly onto the fiber barrel thepresent method of producing the improved article may be practicedwithout especial skill or expertness while resulting in greater accuracyin forming the head's and bushings concentrically of the axis of thebarrel. While the improvements are herein shown as applied to a spool ofparticular type, it is to be understood that the shape and dimensions ofthe heads of the spool may be varied and other changes made in the formand structure of the spool, for example, it may have a solid barrel,without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore,without limiting ourselves in this respect, we claim:

1. A spool or bobbin of the type indicated com-- prising a tubular fiberbarrel having an annular groove on its periphery adjacent its end, and ahead formed of plastic material molded around the terminal portion ofthe barrel and filling the groove therein, said head having an integralthimble portion projecting into the interior of the barrel and providedwith an axial bore extending therethrough.

2. A spool or bob-bin of the type indicated comprising a tubular barrelhaving a peripheral groove adjacent its end and notches spaced aroundits terminal portion, and a head of plastic material molded around theend of the barrel and projecting. radially outward beyond its periphery,said head having an integral thi-mble portion molded within the interiorof the barrel and formed with an axial boreextending therethrough.

3. A spool or bobbin oi. the type indicated comprising a tubular fiberbarrel formed with peripheral grooves. adjacent its ends with theterminal portions of. the barrel expanded radially outward, and headsmolded from plastic material with portions projecting; radially outwardfrom the periphery of the barrel and other portions projecting. withinthe interior of the barrel to formbushings with axial bores! extendingtherethrough, the terminal portions of the barrel being completelyembedded in and surrounded on all sides by the plastic material of theheads to form a permanent bond therewith.

The method: of producing. spools or bobbins consisting in taking atubular barrel of fibrous material, forming a peripheral groove adjacentan end: thereof and molding. a head of plastic material around said endof the barrel while causing said material to flow into the end of thebarrel and line its interior whereby'to' completely embed the terminalportion of the barrel within the plastic material surrounding it on allsides and with said plastic material projecting into the peripheralgroove at the end of the barrel. v y

5. A method of manufacturing spools or bobbins comprising forming atubular barrel by winding a sheet of fibrous material about a mandreland cementing the superimposed layers together with an adhesive, formingan annular groove on the periphery of the barrel adjacent its end,forming notches in the end of the barrel spaced therearound, and moldingplastic material around the end of the barrel to embed the terminalportion thereof in the'plastic material enclosing it on all sides andcause it to flow into the notches and peripheral groove therein.

6.v A method of manufacturing spools or bob- 5 bins consisting in takinga tubular barrel, form-

